Dayenu

It is the method to my step and the life to my spirit and it is not that God is good, but that God is still good.

When my brother died one of our friends wrote a poem called Dayenu. It means “It would have been enough” and it was what the Israelites said after each common grace was given to them: escape from slavery, dayenu; through the red sea, dayenu; manna in the desert, dayenu.

It would have been enough if God had only done this one thing and nothing more, it would have been enough.

David prayed it again with different words: “Bless the Lord, oh my soul.” Soul, you’re downcast, you’re empty, you’re sad, but oh, what God has done! It is enough. So bless the Lord.

My soul is a heavy one today, the effects of sin are near and touching people I love and me too. I’m confronted about the words I say, I hug a tearstained girl, I cry my own tears, we’re praying for an unanswered prayer and this is what I’m thinking all day: God is good, yes, and so we long for the completion of what we want, but God is still good while the completion is far, far off.

It would have been enough if He had only created the earth and put us here to tend the garden.

It would have been enough if He had brought us out of captivity to settle in the wilderness.

It would have been enough to leave the Old Testament hanging for 500 more years.

It would have been enough to birth hope in a manger.

It would have been enough to have smitten His son and washed His hands of it.

It would have been enough for a resurrection alone.

It would have been enough for me to be born, to enter fighting and gasping for the stuff of earth.

It would have been enough for me to live through today.

Because God knows something that I cannot even fathom with my earth encrusted prayers and thinly veiled attempts to get more of Him by getting more of myself: He is still good and He is faithful to finish and He has already won.

This comforts me because sometimes I hear an answered prayer and my heart jumps inside of me, words on my lips: God is good! But I stop here, because even in the lack of what we pray for, He is still good. He has brought us thus far and He has done enough. He has not left stones unturned or promises unanswered. He is not waiting for you to get your act together or for me to learn one final lesson.

Today I’m asking myself what I’m asking for. Am I asking for meekness? For righteousness? For a glimpse of my heart’s desires? For repentance? For gratefulness? What am I asking for that cannot be quieted by one simple declaration: what You have done is enough for you to be worthy of all glory today.

What has God done for you that is enough?
If He did nothing more, is He still worthy of your praise? Your trust?

As always, comments are closed on Sayable. I love to hear from readers though, so drop me a line!

13 responses to Dayenu

Thank you for saying this. I have been struggling to put into words what I think God has been doing in my heart lately…and you said it perfectly. Declaring that God is enough, and still enough. That “already but not yet” tension that we can rest in. Perfect. Love, Emily.

Mmmm. Yes soo true. I've been thinking about the same thing in a different way: God is not good because he gives us good gifts. God is good…they are one in the same! He is the epitome of goodness, and it is displayed through all times in life…even our struggles and his disciple is him being GOOD and FAITHFUL to us! I like the personal element you put on it, though…made it more real. Thanks lore.

YES. The same. I think that's what strikes me so much and so often about Him. He is good and does good. You're missed here! I know I didn't get to know you while you were here, but trust me, you're missed =)

Lore – this has my jaw dropped open. I needed these words tonite, right now, always. Dayenu. I can't even put into words on this comment how amazingly powerful your post is hitting me right now. My baby has many health issues. As I try to remain positive about her eventual outcome – I try to praise God for the blessing of every minute we are given. The good ones, the frustrating ones, the ones where I question everything. God is good, and he is still good. I cannot wait to read more here. #commenthour

@Terra, I'm SO glad you came by and commented and that you were blessed. God is good and does good and is still good. Yes. Always. In every season and circumstance. It's lifechanging, that concept. Be blessed!

MY daughter just sent me this…we celebrated Hanukkah Monday nite, and having recalled that Yeshua Ha Mashia IS the Light of Hanukkah…and If that was all he did…it would still be Good!Your testimony/post will be printed out and stuck into our Haggadah [Order of Service]we use each year for Passover…you have made real that elusive cry that has echoed down through the centuries/millenniums and storms into eternity… DAYENU!poppie

As a recent subscriber, I am grateful for the “words fitly spoken” you have sent over the past weeks. Specifically today “dayenu” was a term shared by a Jewish friend two decades ago. It marked a clarifying and intense season of spiritual development. However, the last few years have included long bouts of “acedia,” despite His consistent provision of “bread and fish.” As I read today’s post, I was smiling and nodding in recognition of a “not-quite-celebratory” reflection on the passing year, but I also reflected on the providential hand of God so evident in the unanticipated details of 2012. I read and re-read the last paragraph…. it was only as I prepared to close the screen, I noticed the title “DAYENU” ~ I literally gasped! God’ sounded a bell deep within my soul, reminding me that He is sufficient through the flourishing seasons, and the desert days…. He has and will continue to do “abundantly more than we can ask or imagine.”

So encouraging. An especially beneficial reply to the accusation that often assails our hearts, “You’re not enough, not doing enough, not enough” and we can say with confidence, “I know, but my God is always enough and I am His!”

I’m sorry you lost a brother. I did too, Feb 16, 2006. He was 27. I remember my dad in his grief leaning his elbows on knees, face in hands quoting Job. “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.” and I finished it, “blessed be the Name of the Lord. How I gripped Hard on His hand those weeks.

My name is Lore (Lor-ee) Ferguson Wilbert. In every particle of life we're hearing messages, people are saying words at us, shouting them over the noise of the day. My hope is that Sayable is a place where the message is quiet, encouraging, and somewhat simple. Here's my story, I'd love to hear yours.